Committee Against Political Repression

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Comment by Joe Balkis on February 12, 2012 at 3:45

CARLOS MONTES WILL BE IN CHICAGO …

Sunday, February 26th, at 6 PM

Casa Aztlan, 1831 S. Racine

For more info:  Magda Castaneda, 773-216-8180, Committee Against Political Repression

 

On May 17, 2011 at 5 AM the SWAT Team of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. and members of the FBI raided the home of Carlos Montes, a long time Chicano activist and active member of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. The SWAT Team smashed the front door and rushed in with their automatic weapons as Carlos slept. They also ransacked his home, taking his computer, cell phones, photos, diskettes, and hundreds of documents along with mementos of his current and historic political activities in the immigrant rights and Chicano civil rights movement.

 

The District Attorney has charged Carlos with felony charges based on an alleged 42 year old conviction and recent firearms code violations.  The DA claims he has a felony record from his 1969 arrest for leading a student strike demanding Chicano Studies and Black Studies at East L.A. College.  The FBI is dredging up a case over four decades old because of Carlos' involvement in the anti-war, immigrant rights and international solidarity movements today.

 

Carlos Montes has committed no crime and has done nothing wrong! This is an attack on him and an attack on the Chicano Liberation Movement. Carlos has been involved and a committed leader in the immigrant rights, anti-war, international solidarity, and quality education movement his whole adult life. On February 26th, he'll talk about his case, about FBI repression in general, and about the upcoming NATO / G8 protests in Chicago in May 2012.

 

Organized by the Committee Against Political Repression (CAPR) & the Coalition to Protect People’s Rights (CPPR

Comment by Joe Balkis on February 11, 2012 at 6:34

CAPR meeting this Sunday at 4pm 1325 South Wabash Avenue, Suite 105

 

Please note the location for the meeting has changed to the offices of the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights, 1325 South Wabash Avenue, Suite 105

Comment by Joe Balkis on February 7, 2012 at 6:32

Montes Returns to Court Feb 8! Read below for an update on his case. Get ready to call Obama and Holder next week.

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Judge Refuses To Dismiss Charges Against Carlos Montes Outrageous Court Decision – Prepare for Court Feb. 8   Carlos next court hearing is Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Carlos Montes has declared himself “not guilty” on 6 felony charges, dealing with an alleged 42-year old arrest and firearms code violations.Montes’ arrest is part of the FBI attack on 23 other antiwar and solidarity activists.   Drop the Charges against Carlos Montes   Los Angeles, CA - “In the interests of justice this case should be dismissed,” said attorney Jorge Gonzales, lawyer for veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes, in Los Angeles Superior Court, Jan. 24. Minutes later, though, Judge Lomeli sided with the prosecution, refusing to dismiss the six trumped up felony charges against Montes, on the grounds of insufficient evidence, setting the stage for a trial later this year. The courtroom was filled with supporters of Montes who wanted to see the charges dropped.   "This proves what we believed all along," said Eric Gardner, a member of the LA Committee to Stop FBI Repression, “The government is going to use all means at its disposal to try and get Carlos - and other anti-war and solidarity activists around the country - behind bars."   Before Montes’ court appearance, activists gathered outside the court building demanding that the charges, which carry up to 18 years in prison, be dismissed. The protesters ranged from long time political activists to street vendors from Central America who Montes is working with to fight police harassment and racist discrimination.   The prosecution has told the press that they want Montes to spend at least five years in jail.   Speaking in front of the courthouse, Mick Kelly, a spokesperson the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, whose Minneapolis home was also raided by the FBI stated, “On May 17, 2011, the L.A. Sheriff Department - acting at the behest of the FBI - raided Montes’s home. The pretext was phony violations of the firearm code. These alleged violations have no basis in reality whatsoever. At issue in this case are the civil liberties of all us who are standing up against war and injustice.”   The May 17 raid, by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and members of the FBI, took place at 5:00 a.m. The L.A. County Sheriff’s SWAT team and Emergency Operations Bureau agents armed with automatic weapons broke down the door to Montes' home while he slept. They seized computers, cell phones, current and historical political documents and left Montes' home in shambles. Montes could have been killed.   Kelly continued, “Carlos Montes is one of the 24 anti-war and international solidarity activists who have been hit by FBI and grand jury repression since Sept. 24, 2010. Like many of the others who have been caught up in this witch-hunt, Montes was one of the organizers of the massive protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention. And like the others, he has spoken out tirelessly against U.S intervention abroad and oppression here at home.   “Carlos Montes is a hero who has devoted his entire life to making this world a better place. In the 1960s he was a founder and leader of the Brown Berets, the historic East L.A. walkouts and the Chicano Moratorium. He is an important leader in the movement for immigrant rights and has worked to defend public education. Montes is an example of a community leader who serves the people and builds the people’s struggle for justice,” stated Kelly.   Outrageous decision Montes' defense challenged the state’s claim that he has a felony record from his 1969 arrest for leading a student strike demanding Chicano Studies and Black Studies at East L.A. College. This is important. That the legal record does not support the claim of a past felony should rule out the District Attorney going ahead with this case. The government is alleging that it was a crime for Montes to buy several guns at a local sporting goods store, because of the nonexistent felony record.   The prosecution is basing their evidence on a 42-year-old incident, where during this student strike and rally, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department invaded the East L.A. college campus, beating and arresting student protesters. During the turmoil, Montes was arrested and charged with assaulting a sheriff’s deputy.   "This case is not about old records," says Charla Schlueter of the LA Committee to Stop FBI Repression, "The FBI is dredging up a case over four decades old because of Carlos' involvement in the anti-war, immigrant rights and international solidarity movements today. They don't like that he is part of a movement that challenges U.S. imperialism."   Next court appearance The next court date is Feb. 8. Montes says his legal team will continue the discovery process on the sheriffs to get ready for trial.   “The government knows its case against Carlos Montes is weak,” said Mick Kelly. “So they have made up a lie that Montes admitted to a felony record while he was being held in squad car after the raid on his home.” The point of the discovery motion is to get to the bottom of this false allegation.   See the L.A. Committee’s web site at http://www.stopfbila.net/index.html for further details on time and location for an emergency meeting to defend Carlos Montes in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 11.   Montes states that he is looking forward to a jury trial and that he is confident that a jury of his peers will find him not guilty.   Please take the following steps to the support Carlos Montes and the 23 Midwest activists facing FBI repression: Sign the national petitionsupporting Carlos Montes Sign the Pledge to ResistFBI and Grand Jury Repression Join a local support committeeof the CSFR or organize one in your town Donate to the legal defense fund Get your organization to sign a Solidarity Statement   Join the national call-in day, Feb. 8 -- President Obama at 202-456-1111 and -- Attorney General Holder at 202-514-2001 Demand: “Drop the charges against Carlos Montes. There is no evidence!” Contact us and let us know how your calls went: info@stopFBI.net   If you are in the L.A. area... Join us and at the Court! Tuesday, Feb. 8 8:00 AM Criminal Courts Bldg. 211 West Temple St. LA, CA corner with Broadway Dept. 123 on the 13th floor.

follow on Twitter |  forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 Committee to Stop FBI Repression, All rights reserved. Thanks for your ongoing interest in the fight against FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists! Our mailing address is: Committee to Stop FBI Repression PO Box 14183 Minneapolis, MN 55414

Comment by Joe Balkis on February 1, 2012 at 19:27

Chicago U.S. Attorney office confirms ‘investigation is continuing’ against anti-war, international solidarity activists Holy Land Foundation prosecutor now working on case By Mick Kelly Chicago, IL – The Northern Illinois Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas stated that the “investigation is continuing” into the case of the anti-war and international solidarity activists who have been hit with FBI raids and grand jury repression. Barry Jonas played a leading role in prosecuting the leaders of the Holy Land Foundation while he was trial attorney for the Department of Justice Counter-terrorism Section. “This is another confirmation of what we have been hearing all along from the U.S. Attorney’s office - they are going for multiple indictments of multiple activists,” stated Jess Sundin, a Twin Cities Anti-War leader whose home was raided by the FBI. “The government subpoenaed 23 international solidarity activists to a Chicago grand jury and the government is trying to jail veteran Chicano leader Carlos Montes. Jonas confirmed what we already knew - the government is trying to imprison anti-war activists on the grounds of ‘material support for terrorism.’” The confirmation of the ongoing investigation came in a Jan. 24 phone call between Jonas and Bruce Nestor, an attorney who is representing some of the activists. Nestor initially contacted Minneapolis Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Winter to view some of the sealed documents in the case. The grand jury proceedings against the anti-war activists are secret and the vast majority of documents relating to their case are under seal, meaning that they cannot be viewed by the targeted activists or their attorneys. Assistant U.S. Attorney Winter helped oversee the Sept. 24, 2010 raids and in recent months has represented the government on the issue of returning property seized in the raids. Winter told Nestor to contact Chicago Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Jonas. Jonas told Nestor the documents would remain secret "pending completion of the investigation." “That Barry Jonas is now involved in our case is an ominous development” said Sundin. “He is famous for one of the most appalling attacks on civil and democratic rights in the past decade - the prosecution of the Holy Land Five. “ The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development was once the largest Muslim charity in the U.S. Its efforts were geared towards providing humanitarian aid to help the people of Palestine and other countries. In 2001 its offices were raided. Three years later, five people associated with the charity were indicted. The first trial ended with a hung jury. The second trial ended with convictions. The five defendants received sentences that range from 15 to 65 years in prison. The trial included secret witnesses - the defense never got to find out who the witnesses were - the use of hearsay evidence and the introduction of evidence that had nothing to do with the defendants in the case, such as showing a video from Palestine of protesters burning an American flag, as a means to prejudice the jury. As lead prosecutor, Barry Jonas played a key role in all this. He is now working under Chicago U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who is runs the federal grand jury attacking anti-war and international solidarity activists. “That Barry Jonas is chasing peace activists means we have to be ready for every dirty trick in the book. The record is clear. The way he sees it, solidarity with Palestine is a crime. We need to push back as hard as we can.” said Jess Sundin. Sundin urges all supporters of peace with justice to sign the pledge to take action (http://www.stopfbi.net/get-involved/pledge-of-resistance) in the event that international solidarity activists are indicted.

Fight Back! News P.O. Box 582564 Minneapolis, MN 55440 Copyright (C) 2012 Fight Back! News All rights reserved.

Comment by Joe Balkis on January 31, 2012 at 23:05

Join the Committee Against Political Repression this Friday, February 3rd at 4:00 pm, outside the Presidential Campaign headquarters of President Obama, 130 East Randolph.

We will be raising our voices to say repeal the National Defense Authorization Act and the indefinite detention provisions. We will have signs and leaflets to inform the public about the ever growing danger to our civil liberties. Fortunately, more and more information is being revealed about a wide range of attacks on our civil liberties, they include targeted killing by the US Government of US Citizens here and here to usage of the new NDAA anti terrorism language here

Thanks,

Hope to see you there. Please forward!

--
NATO = war by the 1%
G8 = poverty for the 99%

Comment by Joe Balkis on January 29, 2012 at 16:55

CAPR meeting 1/29/12 at 4 pm

Please note the location for the meeting has changed to the offices of the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights, 1325 South Wabash Avenue, #205-1

--
NATO = war by the 1%
G8 = poverty for the 99%

Comment by Joe Balkis on January 24, 2012 at 19:28

Support Carlos as he goes to court TODAY. Pleae call Obama and Holder. Tell them to "Dismiss the charges - there is no evidence!"

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Carlos Montes appears in court Today, Tuesday, January 24.   Join the national call-in day to -- President Obama at 202-456-1111 and -- Attorney General Holder at 202-514-2001 Demand: “Dismiss the charges against Carlos Montes. There is no evidence!” Contact us and let us know how your calls went: info@stopFBI.net   Chicano antiwar activist Carlos Montes’ next court hearing is Tuesday, January 24. Attorney Jorge Gonzalez will present and argue a legal motion to dismiss all charges on the grounds of insufficient evidence. This hearing will deal with the FBI-instigated Sheriffs raid, arrest, and prosecution of Carlos. Carlos Montes has declared himself “not guilty” on 6 felony charges, dealing with an alleged 42-year old arrest and firearms code violations. Montes’ arrest is part of the FBI attack on 23 other antiwar and solidarity activists.   If you are in the L.A. area... Join us and Occupy the Court! Tuesday, January 24 8:00 a.m. Criminal Courts Bldg., 211 W Temple St. (corner with Broadway) Los Angeles, CA Dept. 123 on the 13th floor. For more info, go to stopfbila.net   More info and action steps: Carlos Montes will appear in court on January 24, where his legal team will present and argue a legal motion to dismiss all charges on the grounds of insufficient evidence. The current felony charges stem from a Chicano student protest Carlos led over 40 years ago. Students were demanding Chicano and Black Studies at East Los Angeles Community College. Back in 1968, the LA County Sheriffs entered the college campus to put down the student strike. The current District Attorney is alleging Carlos was arrested and convicted for assaulting a Sheriff deputy in 1968 during the police attack on protesters. The six current charges stem from Carlos buying 3 guns at the local sporting goods store, which the District Attorney alleges is a violation.   Montes, along with 23 anti-war and international solidarity activists targeted by the FBI, organized the protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention. Prior to this, Carlos traveled to Colombia and denounced the U.S. dirty war there known as “Plan Colombia”. Carlos met Colombian union activists, artists, and people targeted by death squads of the Colombian military. At Fort Benning, Georgia - also known as the School of the Americas, the U.S. government trains the Colombian military in death squad tactics. We cannot allow the FBI and the U.S. government to stop international solidarity work with the Palestinian and Colombian people!   The FBI instigated the Sheriff's swat team to raid and arrest Carlos Montes on May 17, 2011. At 5 a.m., heavily armed police bashed in his front door and ransacked his home. Please join us in solidarity with Carlos Montes.   Support Actions: After a hugely successful conference on November 5 in Chicago, 150 activists and organizers committed to organizing solidarity with Carlos Montes. So across the country, activists and defenders of human rights are mobilizing to support Carlos Montes.   Please take the following steps to the support Carlos Montes and the 23 Midwest activists facing FBI repression: -- Sign the national petition supporting Carlos Montes -- Sign the Pledge to Resist FBI and Grand Jury Repression -- Join a local support committee of the CSFR or organize one in your town -- Donate to the legal defense fund -- Encourage your organization, religous group, elected official or union to write a Solidarity Statement for Carlos Montes and the rest of the 24.     CSFR Phone conference We are planning a CSFR national phone conference for Tuesday, January 31, 2012, with details to be announced.

follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 Committee to Stop FBI Repression, All rights reserved. Thanks for your ongoing interest in the fight against FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists! Our mailing address is: Committee to Stop FBI Repression PO Box 14183 Minneapolis, MN 55414

Comment by Joe Balkis on December 20, 2011 at 22:42

Defend freedom of speech and assembly:
Oppose Mayor Emanuel’s Restrictions on the Right to Protest
Demand our Right to March Against War & Austerity

Join the Coalition Against NATO/G8 War & Poverty Agenda (CANG8) for a

Press Conference
Thursday, December 22nd, 10:00 a.m.
Gather at 9:45
5th Floor, City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street

In several ordinances presented to the Chicago City Council on Wednesday, December 14th, Mayor Emanuel moved to greatly restrict the constitutionally guaranteed freedom to assemble. The restrictions proposed include doubling of fines for those arrested in protests; and giving Chicago Police Superintendent McCarthy the power to deputize law enforcement personnel from among the FBI, for example, or to hire private security companies to video protests.  There are half a dozen additional restrictions.

Mayor Emanuel is trying to squelch the public's voice, intimidating those who would legally protest with a publicized build up for heavy handed policing, and a campaign to demonize those who might protest, while simultaneously obstructing permits for rallies/marches.

People of conscience need to speak out on behalf of free speech and civil liberties.  Before the proposed ordinance is voted on, there needs to be full consideration of the restrictions on the right to protest.  Aldermen should defend the US Constitution and oppose the Mayor's demand to rush this through City Council.

Please join us – add your voice to send the message to Mayor Emanuel.

If you can’t be at the press conference, call Mayor Rahm Emanuel –
Dial 311 (within Chicago). If calling from outside of Chicago, call: 312.744.5000

Tell his office you oppose the restrictions on the right to protest.  Demand that the city grant permits to rally and march against the NATO/G8 summits.

For more info about CANG8, go to www.cang8.org

Comment by Joe Balkis on August 17, 2011 at 17:05

Verizon Strike Turns Away Customers as Pickets Chase Scabs
At Verizon locations throughout the Northeast, 45,000 workers started walking picket lines this week. "We're on strike for our bargaining rights, just like Wisconsin or Ohio," said CWA President Larry Cohen.



Big picket lines are turning away customers at the company's wireless stores. Verizon has secured injunctions against strikers at its offices and stores, while mobile picketers chase scabs

Comment by Joe Balkis on August 16, 2011 at 19:50

I got an appointment with Rick Bryant at the Homewood Office of Congresssman Jesse Jackson jr. 17926 South Halsted Homewood, IL 60430 Phone: (708) 798-6000 Fax: (708) 798-6160 for Thursday 8/18/11 at 12 noon. The goal of this meeting is to have the Congressman write dear constituent letters condemning the FBI raids & repression of anti-war & solidarity activists to President Obama as well as Attorney General Holder.
Could you get back with me by email confirming who will be meeting me there.
For more information on the case check out www.stopfbi.net as well as unionbook Committe Against Political Repression. for more information about the case.


Its a plus if your a constituent & you can make it

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